Health system in danger
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Editor,
All of the CSKT members need to keep up with the changes in our present health system.
First of all, the clinic computer system is a big mess. During an appointment I found out that one portion of my health file was still with Dr. Vizcarra. This created a big problem when they were trying to get referrals approved but were denied because my file was still with Dr. Vizcarra.
IHS/Tribal patients need a well-experienced medical computer technician to set up a good user-friendly system. Presently, patients’ medical files are in many different files. Presently the providers have to cut and paste information of patients from one program to another program, in order to keep up-to-date information of patients’ progress.
There is talk of eliminating Indian Health Service. If IHS is eliminated, how will this affect not only elders but anyone who depends on Medicare and Medicaid? Will patients under Medicare and Medicaid have to pay the 20 percent? Are there any guarantees that medical costs will not fall on patients? My husband and I already pay $110 a month each from our social security because the state of Montana dropped the ball for Medicare patients. We have checked into alternate insurance but we do not qualify because we have Medicare. Now those who are running for political offices want to reduce Medicare programs. So you are left with voting for the lesser of two evils. This is so disappointing when they tell us how they are working so hard to get us better health care. They just do not tell you how much it will cost. If they do away with IHS, we will not be able to go to our clinic for free. What happened to the treaty re: Health Care? Are our constitutional rights being violated? Are we being forced to accept changes in medical care? Individuals depending on Medicare should question how these proposed changes will affect medical treatment. What of the IHS $6 million windfall?
Phyllis Benoist
Pablo
